Apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges.



No. 829,873. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

.D. R. LOVEJOY. APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING GASES TO HIGH TENSION DISGHARGES;

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1902.

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1). R. LO-VEJOY. APPARATUS FOR SUBJBGTING GASES TO HIGH TENSION DISCHARGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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D. R. LOVEJOY. 4 APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING GASES TO HIGH TENSION DISGHARGES.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY29, 1902.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 29, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0. 829,873. PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906. D. R. LOVEJOY.

APPARATUS FOR SUBJEGTING GASES TO HIGH TENSION DISGHARGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY29,1902.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

- UNITED ST E -PAT NT OF IOE.

DIMMITT Ross LOVFJOY, OF NIAGARA FALLs W YORK,,Ass1GNoR TO ATMOSPHERIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR SUBJ-ECTING GASES To HIGH-TENSION olsoHAnlzs'.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. .28, 1906.

Application filed May29,1902. Serial No. 109,443.

Tension Electrical Discharges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electrical discharges, and particularly to a paratus of the ty e disclosed in application of C. S. Bradley an D. R. Lovejoy, Serial N 0. 8,008, filed March 9, 1900. In such apparatus a series of electrodes is moved past another series of electrodes oppositely charged to a high tension, so as to successively form, elongate, and break a series of arcs between such electrodes, inductances being included in circuit with the respective electrodes, so as to control the current which shall be allowed to flow through the respective arcs.

In the present invention the electrical energy may be supplied to the apparatus in the form of unidirectional currents or in the form of alternating currents of any convenient frequency, and means are hereby set forth ---.whereby the a paratus may be particularly adapted for t e utilization of alternating currents.

In the preceding application, Serial No. 8,008, the manner of using direct currents has been shown. In this application means are shown whereby additional advantages and conveniences of operation are obtained in the following directions: First, that in the apparatus insulation for high voltages ma be secured and permanetly retained secon .that the su pl of fresh gases may most advantageously be introduced into the apparatus, and the converted gases in a like manner removed, and further incidental advantages of practical operation be obtained; third, that the individual arcs may be substantially isolated from each other in order to prevent one are from disassociating the nitrogen compounds formed by its neighbors; fourth, that the minimum supply of fresh gases shall be required without sacrificing efliciencv of conversion; fifth, that the required thinness of arcs may be more cheaply obtained and'their steadiness of operation be improved; sixth, that the apparatus may be particularly adapted to the use of alternatmg currents and that the said alternating currents may be made unidirectional (conveniently and without danger of short-circuiting in rectification apparatus) in orderthat the advantages of unidirectional currents may be secured and at the same t me the facilit with which high voltages may be secured t rough alternating currents and step-up transformers or direct generation of the same may be taken advantage of; seventh, that the gases may be supplied and act-ed upon at pressures higher'than atmospheric pressure; eighth, that ,the energy residing 1n the gases by reason of their compressed state may be recovered in useful work after the gases have passed through the apparatus; ninth, that the gases may be separately charged to a high degree of electrostatic potential, lead individually to the ap'.

bodying my invention, some 0 the inductances or choke-coils being, however, removed to show the parts beyond. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, only one choke-coil being indicated. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar fragmentary view showing a modification. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the fixed and moving electrodes, showing the means of supporting the fixed electrode. Fi 5 is a artly sectioned side elevation of a horizonta form of the apparatus, the circuit connections being indicated in diagram and the form'shown being particularly adapted for.

Fig. 5" is a View of the alternating currents. transmitting-gear between the outlet-valve find the main shaft of the nitrifying-chamer. form of ap aratus shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus as arrangedfor operation under pressure and for the recovery of the energy of the compressed gases. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the apparatus adapted for supplying the gases separately after they have been charged Fig. 6.is a diagrammatic view of the periphe mounte to rotate within the said chamber,

electrostatically. 9a a detailview of the insulating-coupling between the motor and the main shaft. I p V In the application Serial No. 8,008 and in -tlie"1')resent invention the'apparatus essentiall comprises a cylinder or chamber 1, fixe electrodes 2, mounted around the inner of the said chamber, .ashaft 3,

and movable electrodes 4, mounted mechanically upon said shaft and connectedelectrically thereto, an inlet or supply duct for the nected to one pole of the generators 8, the

- circuit being completed by connecting the shaft 3 by means of a conductor to the reinai'ning ole of the generator 8.

In or or that proper insulation for hi h I voltages may be secured and permanenty retained, I prefer to mount the shaft 3 in bearin '10 11, which are in turn mounted upon msulating-disks 12, attached to the ends of the chamber 1 and of sufficiently large diameter to secure a considerable dis-' tance between the shaft and the casing of-the tween shaft and chamber-walls.

chamber, and so prevent surface leaka e be- The ower bearing is preferably made in the form of a cylinder, in which the lower end of the shaft fits as a plunger, thus securing a ti ht joint to prevent leakage of gas, and at t e same time by forcing oil into the bottom of this cglinder'by means of a ump 13 the whole s aft is lifted and carrie on an oil-cushion, furnishing a practically frictionless stepbearing; In order to preventleakage of gas at the earing 11, this is constructed in the form of a stuffing-box, which may be packed in the ordinary way. To secure insulation of the opposite pole of the circuit, the fixed electrodes are preferably mounted in tubes or bushings 14, Fig. 4, of porcelain or other suitable material, which are passed through holes bored in the walls of the chamber 1, these holes being counterbored for a portion of their length, and a proper acki'ng and stuffing-box 15 serve to firmly the tubes 14 in place and make a gas-tight joint. The electrodes may be accuratel adjusted on loosening the stufiing-box. e e ectrodes proper, 2, are mounte in lugs 16, of brass or other suitable metal, which snugly fit the bore of the tube 14 and are also cemented therein, A wire 17 asses through the remaining distance and Being electrically connected to the plug 'lfiserves to conduct the current to the external source 8 'of electrical energy. The

tubes 14 are provided with thick walls and project inside and outside the wall of chamer 1 far enough to prevent any possibility of leakage from the conductor to the said walls of the chamber.-

To insulate the shaft 3 from the motor 3, whichdrivesit, an insulated coupling is pro-' vided, which is shown in detail 1n Fig. 9, in which the motor-shaft 18 and the main shaft 3 are respectively'provided' with flanges .19 20, firmly fastened thereto, to which are affixed, by. means of screws or otherwise, the disks .21 22 of large diameter, these disks being of insulating material. disks 21 22 is another disk 23, of insulating material and slightly smaller in diameter. Lastly, a band 24 is tightly fitted to the peripheries of the disks and serves to transmit the power from disk 21 to disk 22, and thus drive the shaft 3. Disks 21 and 22 areof large diameter to prevent leakage around the outside surfaces, and disk 23 is sufficientlythick vto prevent leakage or breakdown through its mass. As a further and additional precaution I refer to mount the motor 3 on insulating egs or standards 25 and the whole chamber on an insulating-frame 26.

In order that thefresh gases may be most advantageously supplied and the nitrogen compounds most promptl and effectively removed, I prefer to provi e the supply pipe or duct 5 with two branches,one connecting with each end of the chamber 1 and tel-mt, nating near the bearings of the shaft 3 in such a manner as to direct the incoming gases which have been previously cooled or chille by means of a refrigerating ap aratus, (not shown, but of an usual or pre erred form,) against the ends of the shaft, and so help to kee it and its bearings cool.

or the outlet-ducts one or more extensions 27 are formed in the Walls of the chamber (in this case six are shown) and communicating with outlet-pipes 6. These extensions have their openssides toward the interior of the chamber covered by flaps or sheets 28, these sheets being tightly fastened down along one edge and at the ends, and the remainin edge is partially raised, pointing in a circum erential direction contrary to the direction of rotation of the shaft 3 and electrodes 4, so that a narrow channel or opening 29 is left, establishing communication between the interior of the chamber 1 and the are made sufliciently long, so that their ends Between the extended space 27, which, with its connecttion of the whole mass of gas within the chamber, and they are prefera 1y situated just be- 'yond the arcs in the direction of rotation, so

- that the nitrogen compounds formed b one tion. To this end the stationary electrodes2 are set in the periphery of the chamber in a direction contrary to the direction of rotation at a distance from the slits 29 somewhat greater than the maximum length of the are which is drawn out from the stationary electrode 2 by the moving electrode 4. A further advantage of so arran ing the outletslits 29 is that the outside ed e of the rotating mass of as is continually s aved off, so to speak, and esh gases being supplied at each end of the chamber near the shaft a well-defined direction is given to the flow of gases within the chamber, the unconverted gases passin spirally outward and after passing throng t e arcs bein promptly removed at the outer surface of the rotating mass. The mass of gas Within the chamberdoes not of course rotate at the same speed as the shaft and electrodes, but at a less speed in the same direction, so that the effect is substantially as described, thus securing the prompt removal of the nitrogen compounds and preventing their being disassociated by connng in contact with other arcs in the chamber. As further means of preventing this I prefer to isolate each are from its neighbor by means of barriers 30, of non-combustible and preferably of non-conducting material, fastened to the interior surface of the chamber 1 and projecting inwardly for some distance beyond the ends of the fixed electrodes 2. The shape of these barriers is shown by the fulllines in Fig. 3; but any other suitable form may be used-for instance, a continuous rin 31, as shown in Fig. 3.

order to have the nitrogen compounds drawn out of the chamber as dense (free from unconverted gases) as possible, it is desirable to use as slow a draft of gases through the chamber as is consistent with the substantiall immediate removal of the comounds fiermed. I have found that a slower aft may be used without sacrifice .of. efliciency if the said draft be made not continuous, but intermittent, and the impulses of flow so timed as to commence just after the arcs are struck and to cease just after the arcs are extinguished. Thus the gases are drawn out only when the nitrogen compounds are being formed and not at any other time. In order to effect this, I refer to include in the outlet 6, Fig. 5, a va ve 32, which is actuated by means of a perforated belt or other positive connection 33 with the shaft 3, so that this valve is opened and closed in synchronism with the rotation of the saidshaft, the arrangement being so adjusted that the valve is open during the time the arcs are in operation and closed during the remainder of the time. In the chamber shown in Fig. 5, in

which there are but two rows of electrodes,

the valve would be opened and closed twice during each revolution of the shaft 3, where-' as in the chamber shown in Figs. 1., 2, and 3,

which has six rows of electrodes, the valve would be actuateda corresponding number of times in each revolution;

In Fig. 5 the details of the transmitting-- sprocket-wheels 34 and 35 on'shaft 3 and the' spindle 36'of valve 32, respectively. An adjustable screw-arid-slot connection 37 between sprocket-wheel 35 and spindle 36 enables the time of operation of the valve 32 to be ad'usted. In order that arcs of thereuire thinness may be readily obtained and t eir steadiness of operation secured, I provide the moving electrodes with fine tips, which may be of round, flat, or other crosssection and are preferably of platinum wire, and make the fixed electrodes of somewhat thicker wire, bent into proper shape, as in Fig. 4, and fastened to studs or plu s of comparatively. heavy construction. he moving electrode 4 has therefore the body part or shaft 4 and its fine ti 4*, While, as already stated, 2 is the tip of t e stationary electrode fastened into the plug or stud 16, which is in turn supported in theinsulating bushing or tube 14.

' The advantage of using fine-pointed movable electrodes and fixed electrodes of small size lies in the fact that at a given "speed of rotationthe interval in which the electrodes are 0 posite each other is greatly shortened and t e time during which the current in the arc is increasing is correspondingly reduced. This enables inductances of much smaller .Value and corresponding cheapness of construction to be employed, whereas if the electrodes were of large size this time interval would be much longer and the choking-coils 9 must be of greater self-induction in order to limit the arc-current to the same low value as before with a given electromotive force of the supply circuit. Moreover, I have found that if the fixed electrodes be pro erly pro portioned as to size, so that they wi 1 be raised a preciably in temperatures by the arcs, tl fe said arcs burn-much more steadilyand efficiently. The movableelectrode-tips may be of much smaller size than the fixed electrodes, because their high speed and consequent good ventilation prevents their temperature from rising to as high a de ee as the larger fixed electrodes. In short, make the fixed and movable electrodes as small as possible consistent with temperature and mechanical limitations. One or other of the electrodes is bent vertically to provide for slight differences in vertical adjustment of the other electrode.

electrode, it not being subject to centrifugal action, is, as shown, so formed.

In order to ada t the apparatus particularly to the use alternating currents, the movable electrodes are rotated at such a s eed (synchronous with the periodicity of the alternations'of the generator 8) that they approach Within arcing distance of the statlonary electrodes once during each halfperiod of the alternating current. I This is preferably efiected by driving the shaft to which the movable electrodes are fixed b means of a synchronous motor which is driven by current from the same enerator that supplies current to the arcs or om any other source in synchronism therewith. When operated in this manner, the principal feature consists in the timing or isochromsm of the making and extinction of the arcs with the alternations of the generator, and to this end I prefer to drive the shaft 3 by means of a synchronous motor 3", which is energized from the generator 8 through the intermediary of a step-transformer 38.

It is desirable to provide means for adjusting the angular position of the electrodes 4 with reference to the phase of the alternating electromotive force supplied to the electrodes 2 4, so as to bring the time of formation and disru tion of the arc in any desired phase of the a ternation. For example, the arcs may be started or struck at the instant when the electromotive force is at its maximum value and drawn out as the electromotive force falls to zero, or'the arcs may be struck earlier in the wave, so as to permit them to be drawn out to a greater extent, thus providin a ready means of regulating the le th, vo ume, and efficiency of the arcs. To ena le such adjustment to be made while the apparatus is in operation, I prefer to mount the stator 39 of the synchronous motor 3 on a circular way or guide 40, concentric with its shaft 18, and to provide a worm and wheel 41- or other suitable device, so that the said stator may be rotated in either direction through the, angle through which ad'ustment ma be re uired.

lnasmuch as have iscovered that the direction of the current in the arc'i.. e. whether from movin electrode to fixed electrode, or vice versaas considerable effect on its efficiency and manageability,-I provide means for rectifying the alternatin current in such a manner as to cause it to a wa s flow in the same direction with respect to t e electrodes. This is accomplished by a rectifyin -commu tator 42, mounted on the shaft 3, F ig. 6, and consisting of two insulating-disks 43 43", one

- of which has on its peri hery a continuous conducting-ring 44 and t e other a ring split into two segments 45 46, thorou hly insulated from each other and havin dong insulating-gaps 47 between them. 0 brushes 48 bear upon these segments and are connected to the generator 8. One so ment 45 is connected permanently to the aft and ring serves to conduct the rectified current to the common terminal of the inductances 9.

The angular position of the segments 45 46 is so ad'usted with reference'to the movableelectro es 4 that the brushes bearing thereon come 1nto electrical contact with the said 'segments;'ust before the electrodes 4 come withinstr' g or arcing distance of the electrodes 2 and remain in contact until after the arcs have been drawn out and extinguished.

The effect of this disposition is to cause the brushes to cross the insulating gaps when no current is flowing, and there s consequently no flashing at the brushes and no danger of short-circuiting across the aps between the segments. This device ena les both the advanta es of direct and alternating currents to be uti ized, as before stated. Inasmuch as [have found it to be of advantaglel to operatethe arcs in gases at pres sures 'gher than atmos heric pressure, I provide means whereby t e chamber 1 may e made to withstand high pressures and at the same time make possible the recovery and utilization of the energy, residin in the gases by reason of their compresse state.

the other, 46, to the ring mounted on the other disk 43. A brush 49 bearing onthis 0 this end instead of causing the flow of gases through the chamber by means of an exhaust-fan connected to the outlet-duct I prefer to make the chamber with heavy walls and of a material and shape adapted to withstand hi h pressures, provide gas-tight bearings for t e shaft 3, and force the fresh gases into the chamber by means of acompresser 50 up to the required de cc of ressure, and regulate the velocit o flow o the gases through the chamber y means of a valve, such as 32, or a separate hand-regulated valve 51, (see 7,) in the outlet-duct or (where it is desire to recover the ener of the compressed gases) by means of t e load on an engine 52, Fig. 7, through which the gases are ex anded down to normal pressure, the gases eing then carried to collection apparatus (not shown) for the removal of the nitrogen compounds. N

In order that the two gases may individually be given an electrostatic charge before being brought into the presence of the arcs, the chamber 1 is provided with two distinct sets of inlet-ducts which are preferably ofinsulating material, and included in the path of each gas is an electrifying-chamber 53 54,

these containing electrodes 55 56, which are adapted to electrostatically charge the molecules of the gases in contact therewith and which are connected to the source of high unidirectional potential 57. The two ases after being electrified are mixed in the 0 amber 1 in the presence of the arcs or iust revi:

ously to coming into the presence 0 sai arcs. This part of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 8, so much of the apparatus as is necessary to trodes-2'. e., six rows of e ectrodes, thirty in each row, and thirty sets of revolving wires, twelve in a set, the length of the revolving wires from tip to tip of the electrodes being thirty-six inches, and the inside height of the chamber about five feet six inches, the shaft carryin the electrodes being rotated at a speed of four hundred revolutions per minute and with air passing through the chamber at the rate of about sixteen cubic feet per min-- ute, With a voltage of about five thousand six hundred and a current of three amperes there is obtained a resulting yield of nitrous fumes e uivalent to fourteen and one-half grams H 0 per minute. The compounds obtained consist of N 0 N 0,, and a trace of NO, which, taken together, are e uivalent to fourteen and one-half grams HN as above stated. It is to be understood that the above is given merely as an illustrative instance of the use of the apparatus and that with other gases and variations in their treatment a variety of products may be obtained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electrical discharges, the combination of a chamber for inclosing the gases, means comprising electrodes to rapidly and successively form, elongate'and extinguish a plurality of electric. arcs within the chamber,

said electrodes being of minimum size to insure the formation of arcs of minimum volume.

2. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electric discharges, a chamber for inclosing the gases, sets of relatively mov able electrodes within said chamber, arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, said electrodes being formed of fine wire and each pair of electrodes arranged in the sameplane of movement, means to permit of adjustment of said pairs of electrodes relative to their plane of movement while preserving their arcing relation, and a source of high-tension current connected with said electrodes, substantially as described.

3.. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electric discharges, a chamber for inclosing the gases, sets of relatively movable, electrodes within said chamber, said electrodes being formed of fine wire, one of each pair of said electrodes bent transversely to the plane of movement, and a source of source of hi h-tension' current and arranged to ass within arcing distance of each other, a c mber inclosing the gases and electrodes, means for independentlyadjusting the gap between the electrodes of each pair.

5. In an ap aratus for subjecting gases to high tension e ectric discharges, sets of relatively movable electrodes connected to a source of hi h-tension current and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, a c amber inclosing the ases and electrodes, the electrodes of one po arit ably mounted in the wall 0 said chamber.

6. In an ap aratus for subjecting gases to high-tensions ectrical discharges, a chamber for'inclosing the gases, a source of high-tension current, a plurality of sets of electrodes within the chamber and connected in parallel with said source of current, means to move some of said sets of electrodes relatively to the others to successively form, elongate and extinguish arcs between them, and means for insuring a.-minimum volume and minimum current for each of said arcs, said means comlprising an inductance in each of said paralle electrode-circuits and said electrodes constructed of fine wire, substan tially as described.

7. In an ap aratus for subjecting gases to high-tension e ectric discharges, sets of relatively movable electrodes arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, a source of high-tension current connected to said electrodes, a chamber inclosing trodes and gases,- and outlets for the products arranged in close prom'mity to the arcing-points.

8. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electric discharges, a chamber for receiving the gases, sets of relatively movable electrodes within said chamber adjacent the'walls thereof and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, a source of high-tension current connected to said electrodes, means to conduct the gases to the central portion of said chamber, a series of outlets in the walls of said chamber adjacent the arcing-points and deflectors for said outlets to deflect the products formed by the arcs into the outlets.

9. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, the combination-of Y a containing-chamber, electrodes mounted in the walls of 'said chamber, a shaft rotata- 'bly mounted in said chamber, supports carried by said shaft, and electrodes at the ends of said supports, means to cause arc-discharges between the said electrodes and near the. wall of the chamber, gas-inlets for the said elecbeing adjustcarrying the electrodes of one chamber said inlets conductin and discharging gases at the interior of t e chamber and against said shaft, and outlets for the combined gases in close proximity to the 5 electrodes.

. 10. In an ap aratus for subjecting ases to high-tension e ectric discharges, a c amber for receiving the gases, sets of relatlveliy 'movable electrodes within said chamber a IO jacent the walls thereof and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other a source of high-tension current connected to said electrodes, a rotary shaft having insulated bearings in the walls of said chamber and clarity, means to conduct the gases into said chamber adjacent the bearin s of said shaft, outlets for the products in t e walls of the chamber adjacent to the arcing-points, deflectors 2 for said outlets directed contrary to the direction of rotation of said shaft, as and for the pur ose described.

-11. high-tension e ectric discharges, a c amber for receiving the gases sets of relatively movable electrodes within said chamber a jacent the walls thereof and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, a source of high-tension current connected to said 3 electrodes, means to conduct the gases to the central portion of said chamber, means to give said gases an, outward spiral motion within said chamber, outlets in the walls of the chamberin roximity to the arcingoints and deflectors or said outlets directe contrary to the motion of the gases.

12'. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension e ectric. discharges, a chamber for receiving the gases, sets of relatively 4o movableelectrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing; distance of each other, a source of hi h-tension current connected to said electro es, means to conduct gases into said chamber, a series of out- '45 lets in proximity to the arcing-points and means to isolate the arcing-points, for the purpose described. v

13. In an ap aratus for subjecting gases to high-tension e ectric discharges, a chamber for receiving the gases, sets of relatively movable electrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, to form and extinguish arcs, a source of high-tension current connected to said electrodes, means to cause an intermittent flow of gases into said chamber, impulses I of the flow being timed to commence just after the arcs are struck and to cease ust after the arcs are extinguished.

14. In apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, a circuit including said electrodes, a source of current of high potential, means for moving said mov- 11 an ap aratus for subjecting ases to able electrodes causing the formation and extinction of arcs between said fixed and movable electrodes, inlet and outlet passages for gas, and means for causing an Intermittent flow of gas synchronous wlth the formation and extinction of ,the 'arcs.

15. In apparatus for'subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, a circuit including said electrodes, a source of current of high potential, means for moving said movable electrodes causing the formation and extinction of arcs between said fixed and movable electrodes, inlet and outlet passages for gas, and a valve or valves in the gas-ducts having means for intermittently opening and closing it in synchronism with the formation and extinction of the arcs.

16. In apparatus for subjecting gases to a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, a circuit including said electrodes, a source of current of high and movable electrodes, therein, an electric.

circuit including said electrodes, a generator of alternating currents connected to said circuit, and means for causing motion of said movable electrodes in synchronism with the alternations of said current. u

18. In apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, an electric circuit including said electrodes, and a generiator of alternatin current, and means for adjusting the angu ar position of the-movin electrodes relative to the fixed electrodes an relative to the phase of the alternating current.

19. In apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, an electric cirhigh-tension discharges, in combination with cuit including said electrodes, and a generator of alternating current, driving means for saidmovable electrodes, and means for rotary adjustment of said driving means whereb the angular position of the movin electro es relative to the fixed electrodes an relative to the phase of the alternating current may be adjusted.

20. In apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, an electric circuit including said electrodes, and a generator of alternating current, and a rectifier, and means for drivin the same in synchronism with the movab e electrodes.

21. In apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension discharges, in combination with a containing-chamber, relatively fixed and movable electrodes therein, an electric circuit including said electrodes, and a generator of alternating current, a rectifier so adjusted with respect to the fixed and movable electrodes as to reverse the connections of the electrodes with respect to the supply-circuit during the time when the arcs are extinguished.

22. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tensione ectric discharges, a c amber 'for receiving the gases, sets of fixed and movable electrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, an alternating-current generator connected to said electrodes, drivin mechanism for the movable electrodes and means to control the driving mechanism to cause the formation of the arcs during each halfp eriod of alternating current.

23. In an ap aratus for subjecting ases to high-tension e ectric discharges, a c amber for receiving the gases, sets of fixed and movable electrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, an alternating-current generator connected to said electrodes, a synchronous motor connected with the enerator and having driving connection wit the movable electrodes, and means to ad'ust the making and extinction of the arcs relatively to the alter nation and phase of the alternating current.

24. In an ap aratus for subjecting ases to high-tension e ectric discharges, a c amber for receiving the gases, sets of fixed and movable electrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, an alternating-current generator connected to said electrodes, a synchronous m0- tor connected with the generator and having driving connection with the movable electrodes, said motor mounted on the chamber and insulated therefrom, an insulating-coup ling between said motor and the movable electrodes, and means to adjust said motor and movable electrodes radially for the purpose described.

25. In an apparatus for subjecting gases to high-tension electric discharges, a plurality of electrodes and means successively to form and extinguish arcs between the same, means to conduct the gases to said electrodes, a source of alternating current connected to said electrodes, a rectifier in the alternatingcurrent circuit, said rectifier having means to cause the reversals of current during the extinctions of the arcs whereby the same poof said chamber at a pressure tential relation between the' electrodes is maintained. 7

26. In an ap aratus for subjecting ases to high-tension e ectric discharges, a c amber for receiving the gases, sets of fixed and movable electrodes within said chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of each other, an alternating-current generator connected to said electrodes, a synchronous motor connected with the enerator and having driving connection wit the movable electrodes, means to adjust the makingand extinction of the arcs. relatively to the alternation and base of the alternating current, a rectifier 1n the alternating-current circuit and having its commutator moving withthe movable e ectrodes and arranged to cause re-'- versals of current during extlnctions of the v arcs.

27. In an-a paratus for subjecting gases to high-tension lscharges, the combination of a containing-chamber, a lurality of movable and fixed electrodes wil linthe chamber adjacent thewalls thereof, and means to rapidly and successively form, elongate and extinguish arcs between said electrodes, means for introducing gases to the central portion eater than atmospheric pressure, a series 0 gas-outlets in the Walls of the chamber adjacent. the fixed electrodes, and gas-ducts leading from said outlets.

28. In ana paratus for subjecting gases to high-tension ischarges, the combination of a containing-chamber, electrodes adjustably mounted in the walls thereof, a series of movable electrodes mounted within the chamber and arranged to pass within arcing distance of the fixed electrodes, a source of high-tension current connected to the electrodes, gasinlets leading to and discharging near the central portion of said chamber, a gas-outlet in the walls of said chamber adjacent each fixed electrode, ducts leading from said outlets, and means to sup ly gases to the gasinlets at a pressure hig er than atmospheric pressure.

29. In an a paratus for subjecting gases to high-tension ischarges, the combination of a containing-chamber, a series of electrodes mounted in the walls'thereof, and a series of movably-mounted electrodes within the chamber, a source of high-tension current connected to the electrodes, and means to cause the movable electrodes to'pass within arcing distance of the fixed electrodes, means to supply gases to the central portion of said chamber at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, a gas-outlet in the walls of the chamber adjacent each fixed electrode and beyond the same in the direction of movement of the movable electrodes, a deflector for said outlet arranged to deflect gases from the chamber through the outlet and ductsconnected with said outlet.

30. In apparatus for subjecting" gases to high-tension discharges, the combination of means for separately chargin the molecules of said gases electrostatical y, a chamber, means for maintaining in said chamber electric arcs, means for leading said separately.- charged gases into said chamber and forallowing them to commingle in the presence of said arcs or just before coming into said presence.

- 31. In an a paratus for subjecting gases to high-tension ischarges, the combination of'achamber for inclosing the gases, a series of electrodes within the chamber and mounted invwalls thereof,' a series of movable electrodes mounted within the chamber andarranged to pass within arcin distance of the fixed electrodes, a source'of i h-tension current connected to the electro es, and means 20 to isolate the are formed between each pair of electrodes from the are formed betwee nation of a chamber for inclosing the gases gas-inlets for conducting gases into sai chamber near the central portion thereof, relativel' fixed and movable electrodes in said.

cham er, means to rapidly and successively form, elongate and extinguish arcs between said electrodes, means toisolate the gas immediately afiected bythe are between one pair of electrodes from the efiect of adjacent arcs, a gas-outlet arranged adjacent each arcinfg-point to immediately discharge the gas a ected by each arc from thechamber. D. ROSS LOVEJOY Witnesses:

HARRY R. KNIGHT, WM. F. CRAWFORD. 

